A great number of the arguments in this blog are those expressed by various members in my large guild. It has caused considerable controversy since folks are so set in their opinions. I belong to the community quilt friendship group and have found it to be fascinating to listen to the various sides of the arguments.
Let the recipients decide. Our guild has made over 900 quilts a year for many years. Many could fall into the "butt ugly" category and many are showstoppers. We finally decided to just let the recipient decide. We asked each group what they wanted style wise and gave them what they wanted. Color is in the eye of the beholder.
Some folks want certain sizes, colors, fabrics, or designs. Some just want anything we can give them. Because we are making so many quilts a year, about all the editing we do is to make sure the fabric is washable, wearable and similar in content. Whoever pieces the quilt gets to choose what colors get put together and gets help if they run into problems assembling the top. Whoever quilts the quilt, does the best work they can and gets help if they run into trouble.
One of the ugliest quilts we had was the first one picked by a foster child, because it reminded him of his favorite food. We do kits for the local prisons to assemble...those can not have gang colors, nor extra fabric because it would be stolen and sold on the prison black market. Consequently, we get some tone and contrast challenging quilts that I personally wouldn't like, but no one has complained yet...because they got something for nothing when they had nothing. So many in our area have been hit by the economy and various tragedies that to get something useful is a very big blessing.
Any yes, we have members who refuse to use donated material, and members that refuse to work on the prison quilts because they aren't "Good enough" in construction or color, etc. So those projects go to members who are willing to work on quilts that aren't their usual style of quilt. Everyone is a volunteer and can work on it if they choose. If they don't choose, it stays on the table until it can be worked on or fixed. By working outside of our comfort zone, we learn something new about ourselves. Bottom line: It gets done.
Just keep up the good work, folks! Regardless of what you think of it, someone out there wants it and is waiting to get it.